Hey, here’s some terrible news for Yankees fans: If Johan Santana feels as if he can pitch in Game 4, he’ll get the call on short rest.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire revealed his pitching plan yesterday, admitting that he’d like to get through this series with starters Santana, Brad Radke and Game 3 starter Carlos Silva. Assuming Santana feels strong and healthy to go on three days’ rest, he’ll get the nod Saturday.

“If Johan feels good enough to take the ball that day, that’s what we’ll do,” Gardenhire said. “If not, we’ll make an adjustment. I’m going to check with my pitcher. I always have.”

Before last night’s game, Santana sounded optimistic he’d be able to make the start.

Santana, the dazzling lefty who is the AL Cy Young frontrunner, shut out the Yankees for seven innings in the Twins’ Game 1, 2-0 win. Though he lacked his ace stuff and was hittable, he also needed just 93 pitches to do the job. That could leave him fresher for Game 4.

It should be noted that Santana has never started on three days’ rest before, so it’s unknown how his body and arm would respond. He already has logged 235 1/3 innings this year (including the playoffs) after tossing only 158 1/3 last season and 157 in 2002 (including minor league totals).

One thing you can be sure of: Gardenhire will protect his phenom’s arm.

“Santana is going to make that decision for me because if he says he feels a little stiff or sore, I’m not going to do it,” Gardenhire said. “I’m not going to take the chance with this young man’s career or arm. If he tells me he can go, we’ll go.”

There’s also the small matter of how the series stands. If the Twins are trailing in the series, would Gardenhire be more tempted to pitch his ace to save the season?

“It’s going to be how he feels – and I might kick him a little harder if we’re down,” the manager joked. “But I’m going to take this kid and we’re going to talk to him. We’re going to protect him between these starts and hopefully, he’ll be ready for it. We would love to see him pitch.”